Poachers take deer

Workers at the Crockstead Park Equestrian Centre on Eastbourne Road, Halland, think the poachers have taken wild deer which used to roam on the estate.

Shots were heard ringing out before Christmas and when people investigated they saw others running away. By the time they got vehicles to the scene there was no sign of the trespassers.

Then last week the gate to a field leading to Sandhill Lane was found swinging open, its padlock cut, with tracks showing a four wheel drive vehicle had been into the field.

Centre secretary Mrs Elaine Kemp said a stag, four hinds and a fawn used to be seen regularly on the land. 'They were a joy to watch but then we gradually noticed the numbers dwindling. One of the hinds went missing, then the stag and we haven't seen any of them for some days now.

'But it's not just that they have taken the deer that concerns us. It is what else they have been up to,' said Mrs Kemp.

She said the five horses that had been left at risk of escaping had now been moved closer to home and the police have said they would maintain patrols around the estate.

Police wildlife liaison officer PC Malcolm Scott said deer poaching was something which went on across the county from time to time and he warned it was not a good idea to investigate in the dark after hearing shots.

Food chain

If this was happening on a regular basis he was concerned about where the animals were going and whether they were entering the food chain. He advised people to make sure they bought their venison from a reliable source because there could be concern about the quality of meat otherwise.

He said selling deer on for personal gain could be illegal and killing them after darkness required a special permit which was only issued in exceptional circumstances. He added that people also needed a licence to kill game.

'I would ask that if people see anything suspicious they ring the local police and make officers aware of any unusual vehicles at various time of day and night because the deer might be killed at night and arrangements made for somebody to pick them up during the day.'